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Lord Shiva is one of the three main Gods that are worshipped by Indians and Hindus all over the world. He is considered as the most powerful of all the Gods and Goddesses and is known to have the power to destruct the whole universe in just a single opening of his third eye. He is worshipped in several forms and his Mahakal form is one of the most popular ones. All the followers of Lord Shiva must have heard of the Mahakal temple that is situated in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh but not many are aware that are very sacred temple fo Mahakal is also in Darjeeling, West Bengal. This Mahakal Temple, Darjeeling is one of the most pious destinations for all the Shiva followers and devotees, especially those residing in the city itself. This Shiva temple is located on the top of the Observatory hill that is frequented by many tourists from across the state. It is a breathtaking scene to view the Buddhist prayer flags flying and the bells of the temple ringing at the same time. Travelers not just seek blessings but also come here to attain spirituality and inner peace at this beautiful temple, built on an old monastery.
Traveler Tips:
This temple is located at the top of Observatory Hill and has now become a summit of its own. The travelers visiting the temple need to make a trek of around 15 minutes to reach the top and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. So, ensure that you are not wearing anything too uncomfortable and are dressed in comfortable shoes and clothing to reach the temple conveniently.
During your journey uphill, you will find trees surrounding you and monkeys on them. So, it is advisable for all the travelers to avoid carrying food, fruits, or Prasad in their hands as the monkeys might get tempted and snatch it away from you.
History:
There are three Shivalingas in this temple and it is believed that its history dates back to as back as the 18th century. Its history in many books is dated back to 1728. It even has three gold plated coins in the main temple complex. Apparently, the three coins stand for the three God trio- Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh.
This is also the place where the Dorjeling Monastery, now known as the Bhutia Busti Monastery stood. It is a unique blend of Hinduism and Buddhism that you can see here. You will find inner peace here as along with Hindu mantras chanted by the priests, you can also head the Buddhist monks chanting their own holy scriptures.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit any Shiva temple is during the months of Saavan in the Hindu calendar or during the time of Shivaratri. This Mahakal temple is also festooned with many decorations and the festivities that you see here during this time make the visit worth the while. If you cannot plan a trip here, you can also visit the temple of any Monday as it is considered to be the day for Lord Shiva and you can seek is blessings.
How to Reach:
It is a 15 minutes long trek from the Mall Road to reach the Mahakal Temple, Darjeeling. Alternatively, you can also take a right from Mall Road towards Chowrasta Road to find a fleet of stairs. You can climb up the stairs to reach the top of the hill and find this peaceful temple located right there. You can reach Darjeeling as per your convenience through rail, air, or road and hail a taxi or a cab to reach the temple.
